Low-Pressure Area

Definition - What does Low-Pressure Area mean?

Low-Pressure Area is an area that has low atmospheric pressure than that of the surrounding areas. Generally, low pressure takes place in the mid-latitude temperate zones. The process of formation of such areas is called cyclogenesis. Low-Pressure Area is formed by the movement that is caused by crashing surface of characteristically different cold and warm air masses when they converge. The formation process is divided into four stages – the early stage, the mature stage, the decay stage and the dissipation stage. An average life expectancy of the Low-Pressure Area is around seven days.

Petropedia explains Low-Pressure Area

Low-Pressure Areas are formed when the atmosphere evens out the temperature contrast at the boundary between the warm and cold air masses. Because of this reason, every Low-Pressure Area is accompanied by a cold and warm front. These differing air masses are the reasons for the creation of low center.

When the air near the Low-Pressure rises it is cooled and condensed. Due to this reason, Low-Pressure Areas tend to bring precipitation, clouds and usually unsettled weather. Because of the Coriolis Effect and the Earth's rotation, the winds of Low-Pressure system rotate counter-clockwise in the north and clockwise in the south of the equator.